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Apple Hanging on a 'Halo'
IDG's Macworld Announces Best of Show Awards
Apple Piles Up Profits
The Mac Night Owl: Apple's Financials: Wall Street Screws Up Again!
Apple updates Mac OS X Tiger
Apple net rises 425% on iPod sales - Revenue Jumps 75% As Macintosh Sales Also Climb
Apple May Say Earnings Jumped, iPod Shipments Fell in 3rd-Qtr
The 12-in. PowerBook: Thin and (feature) rich
eWeek: Making Money From Free Software
eWeek: Mozilla Updates Firefox to Fix Security Gaps
eWeek: Broadband Over Power Lines: Ready for Prime Time?
eWeek: It's Time Microsoft Patched Its Patch System
Gene and Grayson Steinberg meet David Biedny, Kirk McElhearn, Andrew Stone and Joe Wilcox this week on The Tech Night Owl
Apple Hanging on a 'Halo'
TheStreet.com's Troy Wolverton says:
"For Apple, the time may be ripe to get back to the Mac.
"Over the last two years, the company's popular iPod music players have revived the company's financial results and stock price. But now, with iPod sales slowing, many investors awaiting Wednesday's third-quarter results are turning their attention back to core computer sales.....
"Analysts have been predicting that the popularity of the iPod would have a 'halo effect' for Apple, attracting new customers to Apple's Macintosh computers. And in recent months, the company's sales have outpaced the larger PC market. But some analysts have questioned the sustainability of the halo, especially as Apple moves into a transition period as it changes the chips at the heart of its computers."
For the full commentary, visit:
http://www.thestreet.com/_tscrss/stocks/troywolverton/10232037.html
IDG's Macworld Announces Best of Show Awards
IDG's Macworld has announced the winners of the "Macworld Best of Show Awards," representing the most exciting hardware and software products announced at Macworld Conference & Expo in Boston. Jim Dalrymple, Editor Online for Macworld, presented the awards on the show floor today.
"Whether iPod or Macintosh products, developers at Macworld Conference & Expo, Boston are making innovative solutions that are both powerful and easy to use," said Dalrymple.
To be eligible for Best of Show consideration, products were either making their public debut at Macworld Expo or were recently introduced and likely to generate excitement on the show floor. In addition, the editors had to see the products in action.
"Macworld Best of Show Awards" represent a highly-coveted honor within the Macintosh industry and are presented exclusively at Macworld Conference & Expo.
The Best of Show winners for Macworld Conference & Expo Boston 2005 are:
@Last Software SketchUp 5.0 --
@Last Software Inc. has released the latest version of its architectural design tool for Mac OS X users. The new version of the software adds a collection of "Sandbox" tools to aid landscape designers, a vastly expanded component library, enhanced sketching tools, improved file import and export support and much more. It costs US$495 or $95 to upgrade from previous releases.
DLO Transpod for iPod shuffle --
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) has introduced the Transpod for iPod shuffle, an FM transmitter for iPod shuffle users that plugs into your automobile's cigarette lighter or accessory jack. Tunable to any FM radio frequency, it charges the iPod shuffle and plays using a USB connector, but the device also touts a 3.5mm auxiliary audio input to connect any other headphone-equipped music player or device -- and the USB connector can charge gaming systems and cell phones.
Harman Kardon Drive + Play --
Harman Kardon's Drive + Play lets you hard-wire your iPod into your automobile. It includes an illuminated navigation wheel, a backlit LCD display that lets you view the contents of your iPod and the "Brain," an interface box that connects the iPod to the vehicle and charge it while you're driving, through a Dock Connector interface. A 3.5mm output connects to any car with an auxiliary input jack, and it can send your songs to an FM receiver if your car can't accept an auxiliary input. It can also route other audio signals like satellite radio to the car's audio system. Look for it in September for $199.
Parliant PhoneValet Anywhere, PhoneValet Podcast --
Parliant Corp. has extended the capabilities of their PhoneValet software and hardware -- which turns a Mac into a virtual call center, complete with call history tracking, custom voicemail greetings and much -- with PhoneValet Anywhere. PhoneValet Anywhere lets PhoneValet Message Center 3.0 users access their messages and reports, call log and phone book from anywhere using an Internet connection. PhoneValet Anywhere costs $79.95 for the Web server software and a two-user license; additional licenses cost $19.95. The software requires PhoneValet 3.0 hardware and software, which costs $199.95.
Parliant is also reaching out to companies and individuals experimenting with the burgeoning medium of "podcasting" with PhoneValet Podcast, an extension to PhoneValet Message Center 3.0 that includes tools for capturing, cleaning and editing phone-based conversations using VST editions of BIAS's SoundSoap 2 and Peak Express -- existing users can upgrade for $74.95, or you can purchase the whole kit for $249.95.
Software MacKiev The Print Shop for Mac 2.0 --
Software MacKiev is adding page layout functionality requested by users to its forthcoming release of The Print Shop 2.0 -- it now includes rules, gridlines, guidelines and snap functionality through menu items and in a layout palette. A redesigned project window makes it easier to get started by grouping items into four categories: Celebration, Stationery, News and Projects. Drag and drop support has been added to iPhoto, Mail and other applications, and Tiger users gain Spotlight search and eight photo effects that leverage Tiger's Core Image technology. The software can also open files created in Windows editions 6 - 20, as well. Priced at $49.95, the Print Shop for Mac 2.0 will be available in August.
For more information, visit:
http://www.macworld.com
and
http://www.idg.com
Apple Piles Up Profits
Detroit Free Press Columnist Mike Wendland reports:
"Apple Computer has always drawn a cult-like following from its legions of Mac fanatics. But these days, as the company rides a crest of hot products and good buzz, it's getting ridiculous.
"Case in point: At the Apple Co. Store on its Silicon Valley headquarters campus, it sells a black T-shirt. On the back is the familiar Apple logo. On the front, in small white lettering, is the phrase "I visited the mother ship."
"I confess, I bought one on a recent visit there. But two days later when I went back to buy a couple more as gifts, a clerk politely told me they were all sold out."
For the full commentary, visit:
http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwendland13e_20050713.htm
The Mac Night Owl: Apple's Financials: Wall Street Screws Up Again!
Maybe they need a new set of tea leaves, or perhaps they should call on the services of the real life psychic who is portrayed in the TV show Medium. Regardless, when it comes to Apple Computer, Wall Street just can't get an accurate fix on what's going on.
Here's the URL for today's commentary:
http://www.macnightowl.com/index.htm#again
Note: You can also access our RSS feed, available at:
http:// http://www.macnightowl.com/index.xml
Apple updates Mac OS X Tiger
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Apple has released Mac OS X 10.4.2, the latest version of its 'Tiger' operating system.....
"Mail, iChat, Safari, Preview, iCal, Address Book, Finder, Internet Connect and Automator are all tweaked, and users who file these applications away in Applications folder sub-folders may wish to move them back into their original locations to ensure a smooth update. Similarly, Disk Utility, Installer and Printer Setup Utility should be returned to the main Utilities folder, as they too are updated in 10.4.2."
For the full report, visit here.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/13/apple_posts_tiger_10-4-2/
Apple net rises 425% on iPod sales - Revenue Jumps 75% As Macintosh Sales Also Climb
MarketWatch's Rex Crum reports:
"Apple Computer Inc. on Wednesday said its third-quarter profit rose more than fivefold, as sales of its Macintosh personal computers were boosted by new software and on the surging popularity of the company's digital music players....
"Revenue climbed 75% to $3.52 billion from $2.01 billion a year ago. The company beat the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call, who forecast a profit of 31 cents a share on $3.34 billion in revenue."
For the full report, visit here.
Apple May Say Earnings Jumped, iPod Shipments Fell in 3rd-Qtr
Bloomberg News reports:
" Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod shipments probably dropped in the third quarter from the second, the first decline in more than two years and a sign the surge in demand for the music players may be waning....
"Apple, which made its name selling Macintosh computers, will say today iPod shipments dropped to 5.29 million in the three months ended in June from 5.31 million in the second, according to a Bloomberg News survey of eight analysts. Sales of the iPod, which generated almost one third of Apple's $3.24 billion in revenue, are up sixfold from 860,000 a year earlier."
For the full report, visit here.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=a_E1xJZdLLHc
The 12-in. PowerBook: Thin and (feature) rich
computerworld.com says:
"The old adage that you can never be too thin or too rich seems like a tailor-made description of what road warriors want in their laptops: thin, lightweight machines that are feature-rich and, of course, inexpensive.
"With its latest generation of PowerBooks, unveiled back in January, Apple Computer Inc. may have had that adage in mind: It incrementally updated its aluminum-clad laptop line with faster processors, faster SuperDrives and hard drives; doubled the memory -- and cut prices. The message was simple: You get more for less.
"For the past few weeks, I've been using one of the new 12-in. PowerBooks, loaned out by Apple for review purposes, and I've found it to be almost everything I'd want in a portable computer....."
For the full review, visit here.
eWeek: Making Money From Free Software
Opinion: Yes, you really can make money from "free" software; you just need to have a good business plan. Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1836385,00.asp
eWeek: Mozilla Updates Firefox to Fix Security Gaps
"The Mozilla Foundation updated the Firefox Web browser Tuesday in order to patch a series of security vulnerabilities, including widely publicized browser spoofing issue and a frame-injection issue.
Mozilla has released Firefox 1.0.5 and plans to follow it with new versions of its Thunderbird e-mail client and namesake browser application suite on Wednesday, said Chris Hofmann, Mozilla's director of engineering."
Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1836310,00.asp
eWeek: Broadband Over Power Lines: Ready for Prime Time?
"With a recent investment by Google and a new initiative announced by IBM, broadband-over-power-line technology has leapt back into the spotlight. Have companies finally found a way to profit from the promise of broadband in every home with an electrical outlet?
Using a low-cost adapter, BPL (broadband over power line) customers can get high-speed Internet service using the wiring that already exists in their homes or offices."
Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1836313,00.asp
eWeek: It's Time Microsoft Patched Its Patch System
Opinion: When it comes to patches, Microsoft needs to be more like Oracle and fix its products when flaws are discovered, not wait up to a month.
Read more at:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1836359,00.asp
Gene and Grayson Steinberg meet David Biedny, Kirk McElhearn, Andrew Stone and Joe Wilcox this week on The Tech Night Owl
This week Gene and Grayson will be joined by long-time Mac author Kirk McElhearn. You'll also get insights into Apple's latest quarterly financial report from industry analyst Joe Wilcox. Andrew Stone of Stone Design ( http://www.stone.com/ ) will tell you how easy it was to build one of the first applications that will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs. And you'll pay another visit to the "David Biedny Zone," where the unexpected is the norm.
Special Notice: The Mac Night Owl LIVE is now The Tech Night Owl LIVE. And get a load of this: Podcasts are just around the corner. Stay tuned for all the details.
You can tune into the broadcast Thursday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Pacific, 9:00 to 11:00 PM Eastern, at:
http://www.techbroadcasting.com
An archive of the show will be available for listening at your convenience within eight hours of the original broadcast.
Charles W. Moore
Tags: News ď Tech-Industry ď
